亚洲综合中美

“Don’t ask me,” said Viola, “-we may have angered him. He always did say, he wasn’t a hero. To think the Staxius I knew would turn into a threat against whole the world. Long as there’s the verbal agreement of non-aggression, there’s no cause for concern I’d say,” a gentle motion eased her on the chair, “-guess the tower will grow and we’ll have to adapt. Nothing new,” the curtain closed on the Tower of Aris. Igna soon made way to where it had begun, he stood with arms over the balustrade and peered the station.

‘Never expected the reunion to go so badly,’ he rolled and stared the stalls, ‘-I’ll have to accept the outcome. The tower of God, a major player in the adventuring commune, feels the same as when monsters first appeared and the new generation emerged. World’s come a long way since Vampire slayer and mages, I can’t help reminiscing.’ It had been a few hours, Wendy and her grandfather worked in tandem catering to the midday rush. He but stood with a beer can, contemplating what is to happen next.

“I’m here,” waved the energetic Fenrir, “-I met Viola and Achilles, they’re doing awesome.”

“Glad to hear,” he twirled the can, “-want some?”

Her ears perked, “-yes please,” she snatched the beverage and gulped.

“You sure love booze...”

.....

“Of course, I do,” she said, “-it warms my inside.”

“Right.” *Incoming Message – éclair.*

‘The jets have finished maintenance. One’s on route to the airfield, please take the next train.’ With purpose in his step, they bid farewell to Wendy and her grandfather, boarded the first train to Meke, and made the long journey home. An assistant gave them much attention for they paid for first-class, in trying times, the ticket alone would be worth three months’ worth of household supplies, money he seemed to carefreely spent.

“You look pale, did something happen?”

“Stop bugging me,” he sighed, “-I’m trying to work.”

“There’s no need to be fussy,” she defiantly stared outside, “-so much for us being companions and all, I guess I’m only convenient when you’re in the mood.”

“Honestly,” he shut the laptop, “-is there a reason the phrasing is so melodramatic?”

“No, I’m only saying the truth. I see this happen all the time, the people around are kept for convenience, when tis outlasted its purpose, you either send them on errands or just don’t care. Am I wrong?”

“The words cut deep,” he said coldly, “-and I don’t mind admitting what was said is true. Still, what do you expect, I use people, is it so bad?”

“Not really,” she pulled a tablet and ordered snacks, “-the priorities and closest members in thy life are; Vanesa, Draconis, and Saniata. Still, as their father, I’ve never seen you actively try to visit or get in contact with them, are they also a convenience, jewelry to flaunt per thy whims?”

“Why are you so persistent today?”

“I thought I’d challenge the mighty, Igna Haggard,” said she very sarcastically.

“Challenge, what an interesting thought. Go ahead, please enlighten me.”

“Snarky response – the whole ramble about protecting your world and what is precious to you, they’re all a load of bullocks, aren’t they. Deep down, there’s no inkling of care or affection, even if there was, tis acting, a fa?ade that has fooled even the actor.”

“Come again?”

“I don’t want to say too much,” the windows tapped, a retainer stood with a silver platter.

“That train’s long departed, lady,” the aroma filled the cabin.

“I’m waiting to be dropped and ignored,” she said, “-by default, you’re a loner.”

“Judgmental much?” he opened the cabin window, “-fair, what if I was to drop you, what then, should I have an obligation to dictate how thee lives. Considering what you’ve said, here’s my point of view, I use people, and they use me. I only exploit those I’ve subjected to being in my way, they could very well be good people, but there’s the point, I don’t care. Once a light-bulb expires, what is the natural course, throw it away, you’re not going to brandish the item into a jewel, the purpose is gone and the only function it served is rendered useless.”

“Same could be said about you,” fork and knife in hand, “-when Igna Haggard stops being useful, the world will reject him, wouldn’t that suck?”

“Staxius Haggard outlived his welcome too, look what happened, another rose to take the mantle. With or without, destiny is set to follow its tracks. A spectator should remain a spectator, pawns will remain pawns, and the masterminds will lead to either chaos or Elysium.”

She took a bite, the words went in through an ear and out the other, “-pathetic. I have no more words to say, Achilles was right, Viola tried to play devil’s advocate, didn’t work out, I’m starting to see what sort of a disgusting person thou truly art.”

“Fair play,” he gave a comical applaud, “-the legendary beast’s sees her master for who he is. What then, going to change sides?”

“If push comes to shove,” she glared, “-I wouldn’t mind tearing thy brains out.”

“Is that a threat?” the aura dropped, “-Fenrir, I’ve listened to what you’ve said, I’m getting off at the next station,” he threw a ring and a bank card,”-instant teleportation to the Shadow Realm and money, do what you want, I’m done with this conversation,” he abruptly rose, “-Running away from the truth are we?” said she, he momentarily stopped, glanced over his shoulder, “-have a pleasant day,” the train halted at Stonegrove Station.

The appetite faded, Fenrir sat with one leg onto another and angrily glared outside, growls subconsciously escaped her throat, ‘-how stupid is he? Why can’t he just accept the feelings, be frank, I’m not a stranger, I only want to know him better. I guess my words were crude,’ she looked to her side and noticed the items, ‘-such an idiot. He can’t even get properly angry, threw the ring and bank card, deep down, he’s aware of the actions and prioritized my safety before his. Either I should be impressed or appalled. Seriously, Igna, stop being a pain and accept that you don’t care about others; say you reject those who aren’t useful, accept it, and then we can move forward. I’ll have a reason to stand by your side, a reason to follow, and a reason to accept when I’m inevitably abandoned again.’

The bright blue Eznie carried along the rails, ‘-Fenrir sure was in a big ol’ mood today. Guess she was right, I use and discard people,’ a sense of relief washed his person, ‘-I feel free, I guess I enjoy being alone,’ wings sprouted, ‘-better head to Oriaon.’

He shortly reached the airfield, climbed aboard the private jet, asked for éclair to send an escort to fetch Fenrir, and took to Rosespire, there, a car waited to carry him north of the capital – the Multimedia hub, Lei.

“éclair, where’s Julius?”

“His at the secondary Phantom office inside Rosespire.”

“What of Apexi’s headquarters?”

“The office buildings are under renovation since the staff’s on tour or vacation. The studios are rented to agencies to film their soap operas and whatnot.”

“What about the live interview?”

“Looks like he’ll follow the matter through the Arcanum, and I agree, with the tension, a public appearance might cause unnecessary conflict.”

“I’ll watch the event play from the public’s eye, I personally ought to see the drama unfold.”

“If it’s drama thee wishes, tis drama thee’ll get.” From the private landing strip, the flow of traffic until the Eastern entrance of Lei flowed, at one point, they moved a few meters per minute, the streets were jammed packed. Advert airships, commandeered by the movement against Apexi plastered damning statements. ‘-Give the idols a chance!’ it read.

‘If this is the stance,’ the door unlocked.

“Excuse me, young master, where are you headed?” asked a troubled driver.

“I’ll walk the rest of the way, head to Apexi’s headquarter, I’ll rejoin later, understood?”

No say in the matter, an employee had to obey orders, and so, he left the comfort of a very high-end car to walk among the very excited mob. The current location was due west of Rosian Media Square. Lens swapped for infiltration mode; a constant feed of current events kept guard over the greater picture. Looking directly at a person who gave their personal information, if they were in a call, the audio would play and often be transcribed; the ruthlessness of éclair’s presence in the whole capital’s network meant he could instantly blackout everything at a moment’s notice.

“Where are you, babe?”

“I’m at Cozua’s shop. I thought we were going to watch the interview.”

“My friend texted, she said it’s bad, the riot police’s on sight,” he switched targets.

“Dude, did you hear, Apexi’s going down in a few hours. Everyone’s rinsing them on social media, it’s hilarious.”

“Man, I don’t like Julius, the girls on the other hand, phew, especially Sheiwai from Vorn, I’d love her so tenderly.”

“AHAHA, DAMNED VIRGIN!” the target swapped to the surrounding. Closer to Oatway streets he got, the dense grew the buildings, brighter too. Rosian Media Square was a block after the Oatway Square to the northeast. Barricades nestled on Raneo Street, blocking back and forth from vehicles. None wanted the threat of a terrorist attack – latter occurred primarily in lesser important areas. What made Rosian Media Square unique was an open-air styled amphitheater, a massive edifice rose to slightly curve as if a line of packed buildings. At its feet, and till the next street, there was space for cars and a park, the edifice was a first, a sign of collaboration from the Elon Dynasty and Hidros. The curve structure, for lack of a better word, was a television, a massive screen on which played movies and advertisements. Opposite it laid a hotel, also courtesy of the Dynasty, to fully take advantage of the screen. Audio would have been an issue, obviously, blasting a movie in the city at any time of the day would require power and a lot of money. Luckily, the researchers arrived at a simple yet effective idea – a scan screen and the audio would be broadcasted in real-time to any and all recipients. Long as the functions were in a device; a homeless man could sit under a tree and watch the movie on an old radio. Between eavesdropping and ogling the shop windows, the giant screen sprouted in view. The pavements were stacked, ‘-law-enforcement was right to shut traffic, so many spells disaster.’

“It starts in ten-minute.”

“Over this way,” said a lady perched atop an armored van, “-do not push or run, the park has plenty of space. Those who’ve booked a hotel please move to the next line.”

He hung and slithered out of the pack, and waited under a bourgeois shop of attire, golden lighting from the interior added a sense of privilege. Common folks, the vast majority of the populous, were content to window shop. Couples walked arm in arm, the lady would very often point at the items, turn to her partner and giggle.

A touch of the earlobe dialed éclair’s number, “-master?”

“Is it possible to book a hotel room to watch the event, I just learned of said possibility.”

“I could check,” he paused briefly, “-the rooms are reserved save the penthouse which costs an arm and a leg, the price is beyond extortionate.”

“Right, recklessly spend-”

“Hold it, master,” he professed, “-money isn’t an issue for the Haggard’s, or the Raven’s for that matter. I’ll book the suite right away.”

“Wait, don’t,” he exclaimed, a few confused looks turned his direction, “-I only wanted to check. I don’t mind watching the interview from the park.”

“You must be joking,” a notification flashed, “-the suite’s been reserved, kindly make thy way to the hotel.”

“éclair... fine. Get Julius on a helicopter, we might as well spend the night here.”

“Fine idea, consider it done,” *Transmission ended.*

‘How much did he pay?’ a browse showed 80,000 Exa, ‘-and I spent 76,000 on a night out, what the hell did they order... narcotics, makes sense.’